Category Archives: Awards And Accolades

When it comes to a large SUV, there are a lot of factors that you must consider. One of the most important is cargo space — you probably aren’t considering something so big and brawny unless you plan on making the most out of all that overhead. If the 2018 Nissan Armada is on your radar for that very reason, then you’ll be happy to know that it recently made U.S. News & World Report’s list of the 20 SUVs with the Most Cargo Space.

U.S. News & World Report’s experts lauded the Armada for offering “about as much cargo space as any large SUV on the market” with its total of 95.4 cubic feet of space. If you need to seat some backseat passengers and can’t fold the third row down, you’ll still have 16.5 feet of cargo space to work with, making the Armada exceptionally spacious and versatile.

There’s also the matter of the Armada being stylish, powerful, and a lot of fun to drive. Of course, for all the awards in the world, the best way to figure this all out for yourself is to take the new Armada for a test drive. Stop into Bates Nissan and we’ll make sure that you can experience it all

For the seventh year in a row, Nissan North America has earned the EPA’s coveted designation as an energy leader: the 2018 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year — Sustained Excellence Award. This award is given to companies that demonstrate their commitment to the environment by optimizing their daily operations to be more efficient.

What has Nissan North America done to earn this distinction? Specifically, the automaker has switched its facilities to LED lighting, prioritized energy efficiency in its design process (like its painting process, which has cut energy consumption by more than 30 percent), and engaged all of its North American employees in energy management.

More specifically, Nissan has worked with Middle Tennessee and Central Mississippi schools to improve their energy-saving initiatives.

“Awards like the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year let us know we are moving in the right direction with our sustainable manufacturing practices,” commented Rebecca Vest, vice president of Corporate Development and Social Responsibility. “Our approach is a comprehensive one, focused on maximizing efficiency and reducing energy waste in our manufacturing facilities, all while continuing to deliver the products our customers expect.”

Nissan also leads the market in energy-efficient vehicles, like America’s best-selling EV, the Nissan LEAF.

To learn more about Nissan’s commitment to sustainability and fuel-efficient models, visit us at Bates Nissan in Killeen.

Popular Mechanics highlighted that the Nissan Armada offers “a luxury SUV experience at a Nissan price,” and that the Armada “does it best” in terms of delivering an 8-passenger SUV with low-range 4-wheel drive.

The Popular Mechanics editorial staff drive every vehicle in each segment to determine the winners, and no second-place picks are chosen, and there aren’t any category divisions beyond overall segments like Pickup, SUV, and so on. Nissan cites that consumers “are in agreement with the experts at Popular Mechanics” due to a 156% increase in Armada sales in 2017.

The 2017 Armada starts an all-new generation of the vehicle, with a new design, a 5.6-liter Endurance V8 with best-in-class horsepower, a new 7-speed automatic transmission, and more features than any vehicle in its class, including Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Backup Collision Intervention, Moving Object Detection, and many more.

To find out more about the new Nissan Armada, call us today at Bates Nissan!

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a government-run organization that rates vehicles on their safety. The group has adjusted to the ever changing market over the years more than in the past. Technology has come a long way but the group’s most recent change isn’t for autonomous technology.

Beginning in 2017, the IIHS will score vehicles on their headlights. In order to earn top scores, vehicles must earn a “Good” or “Acceptable” rating in the headlight category. That category joins the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side crash tests as well as roof strength and head restraints & seats. Front crash prevention includes optional technology that reduces the impact or avoids frontal crashes entirely.

Most automakers pass the front and side crash tests with flying colors. Unlike the other tests, the IIHS will test every trim that uses a different type of headlight. With this most recent change, the roadways are about to get even safer in one of the simplest ways possible: visibility.

To earn Top Safety Pick awards, automakers will have to improve their vehicle’s lighting as well as their overall structure.

Here at Bates Nissan, we’re confident that Nissan will adjust to the new headlight category and come out on top!

These ratings are good enough to cinch the Top Safety Pick recognition—also achieved by the Rogue and Sentra in our lineup—but the Altima scored that extra “+” at the end by earning a “Superior” rating for front crash prevention when equipped with the optional Forward Emergency Braking, giving it the Top Safety Pick Plus award.

When a front collision is imminent, the system alerts the driver; if the driver fails to respond, the system can even apply the brakes to mitigate or entirely avoid the crash. This is just one of the many safety features available on the 2016 Nissan Altima. Explore them all at Bates Nissan!

The Texas Truck Rodeo took place outside San Antonio this year in the state with the most truck drivers in the US, and the new diesel Titan XD outstripped every other truck in terms of efficiency, power, handling, and a variety of other criteria.

The winning Titan XD has a 5-liter V8 turbo-diesel engine, which won the best powertrain award in addition to helping the Titan win the Truck of Texas award. Two other Titans also won the award, including the Pro-4X, which took the best off-road category, and the Titan XD Platinum Reserve, which won best luxury pickup.

The all-new 2016 Nissan Maxima SR was recently put to the test as it completed laps around the track at Buttonwillow Raceway. It was up against some stiff competition in the 2015 Acura TLX 3.5 with Technology Package, 2015 BMW 328i, and Audi A4 2.0T quattro Premium Plus Tiptronic. The Maxima more than held its own, though, posting the best lap time out of them. Check out the Nissan Maxima performance times below.

Vehicle

Time

Margin (seconds)

Maxima SR

1:18.50

—

BMW 328i

1:19.48

.98

Acura TLX 3.5L

1:20.58

2.08

Audi A4 2.0T Quattro

1:21.21

2.71

Nissan has been positioning the 2016 Maxima as the “4-Door Sports Car” and it’s most certainly living up the name!

Pierre Loing, vice president of Product Planning at Nissan, said, “We expected the all-new 2016 Maxima, with its re-engineered engine, transmission and chassis to do well, but frankly even we were surprised by the head-to-head test results against some very well-established luxury sports sedans.”

The new Nissan Rogue was recently named to Kelley Blue Book’s (KBB) “10 Best AWD Vehicles under $25,000.” Featuring available third row seating, the latest driver assist technologies, and incredible performance, it’s easy to see why the Rogue was named among the best cars on the market.

According to Nissan, the 2015 Rogue handling is one of the major features KBB editors were most impressed with. Aside from state-of-the-art AWD, the new model also has Advanced Ride Control, Active Trace Control, and Active Engine braking among other things.

“Featuring Advanced Ride Control, Active Trace Control, and Active Engine Braking among many other features, with a premium look and feel, Rogue is a solid entry in the marketplace. We are ecstatic that the Rogue has been recognized by Kelley Blue Book,” said Dan Mohnke, Nissan Chief Marketing Manager.

The Rogue also comes with premium seating and extra cargo room. EZ Flex Seating helps drivers and passengers stay comfortable – something you might not realize is important until you have it. All things considered, it’s no wonder KBB chose the Rogue as a top pick.

When it comes to our families, we want to give them the best, right? Well, look no further. The 2015 Nissan Pathfinder has been named one of the 15 Best Family Cars for 2015 by trusted automotive resource Kelley Blue Book®.

Factors such as comfort and driving, safety, child seating, cargo space, back seat entertainment, and additional amenities were considered in determining the award winners.

The Pathfinder, one of just two mid-size SUVs to make the top 15 list, was praised for its roominess, ease of access, efficiency, power, and additional convenient features.

“Completely redesigned just two years ago, 2015 Pathfinder retains its core values of fun, utility and fresh style while also adding a number of exciting enhancements beneficial for the whole family,” said Dan Mohnke, vice president, Nissan chief marketing manager & marketing operations. “With plenty of cargo space and interior room, and a smooth ride with solid handling, the 2015 Pathfinder is a classic ‘family-first’ vehicle, and we’re elated to once again be included among Kelley Blue Book’s Best Family Cars.”

This is the second year in a row the Pathfinder has made the list of the industry’s best family vehicles. If you are still wondering why, please stop by Bates Nissan. We would love to show you.

The Nissan LEAF was recently named one of the most popular cars on the road based on customer loyalty. During the annual IHS Automotive Loyalty Awards, the LEAF took home the award for best Non-Luxury Traditional Compact Car. Considering it was the only plug-in nominated, the fact that it won says a lot about its incredible performance and quality.

According to Nissan, the new LEAF is selling like crazy, beating all of its previous sales records in 2014. This plug-in features seating for five, 114 MPGe, and a range of 84 miles. The LEAF truly is one of the best alternative-energy models on the market.

“Since entering the market in 2010, the Nissan LEAF has steadily gained supporters throughout the U.S.,” said Toby Perry, director of marketing for Nissan LEAF. “While the majority of original buyers were electric vehicle enthusiasts, we’re now seeing more and more ‘regular’ car buyers fall in love with LEAF.”

Nissan customer loyalty is so impressive because of the high-degree of quality that comes standard with every model. Not only is the LEAF an affordable car, but engineers have consistently pushed the envelope on the design. That’s one major reason more drivers than ever are switching to the all-electric model.

Find out why everyone loves the Nissan LEAF! Come on in to Bates Nissan to check out a Nissan LEAF for yourself.